Brendan O’Donnell started on North Dakota’s first line as the team in green beat the Purple Eagles, 2-1 in the West Regional Semifinals. North Dakota entered the third period down 1-0, but by the 3-minute mark had the lead they needed. They will play Yale in the regional finals for the right to go to the Frozen Four.

Minnesota fought back from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime, but the Bulldogs completed the upset of the Gophers with an overtime-winning goal nine seconds into the extra period. Minnesota’s defenseman turned over the puck behind Wilcox’s net and the Yale’s Kenny Agostino – traded to Calgary in the Jarome Iginla deal earlier this week – fed Jesse Root in the slot for the winning goal. Wilcox had no chance at the game-winner. He finished his freshman season among the best goalies in the conference, and will be a big part of the Gophers’ season next year – its first in the new Big 10 hockey conference.